Ep 07: Taking Up Space

In this episode of the Brazn Azn Podcast, co-hosts Stella and Virginia, introduce their special guest, Serena Cerezo Poon. Serena, a queer Asian American woman working in finance and founder of the startup Prism, shares her poignant journey of coming out, facing family rejection, and ultimately finding acceptance. The conversation delves into the challenges Serena faced, including spiritual abuse and conservative upbringing, and how she managed to reconcile her identity with her family relationships over time. Serena highlights the importance of creating safe spaces for marginalized communities, inspired by her own experiences growing up in conflicting cultural environments. The episode underscores themes of resilience, community-building, and the continuous process of taking up space authentically. -Navigating Identity in Different Spaces -Coming Out and Family Reactions -Reconciling Faith and Identity -Living Authentically and Family Dynamics -Struggles with Parental Acceptance -Choosing Silence Over Vitriol -Small Steps Towards Reconciliation -Rebuilding Relationships -Creating Safe Spaces and Community